One thing I know — every soul wants a home.

Your soul, my soul, every soul that exists wants a place of rest, of safety, nurture and meaning, and yes — passion, depth of feeling, love and even memories.

It craves color, warmth, texture, music for all the senses, and a bit of fun. If these are not present in a home, the soul gets lonely, deprived, and edgy — and often falls prey to false substitutes that are at best shallow, and at worst addictive.

Today I want to invite you to spend a few moments with your own soul and its needs and desires in relation to the place you call home. If you listen to yourself even briefly, your soul may surprise you with joyful answers. Let’s begin with one important and possibly provocative question:

What would your home look like if your soul had a say in how it was created, decorated, organized or located?

This question is essential for men as well as women. Too many men allow, give-up, abdicate the creation of their living space (home) to their female partners. This means that both partners miss out on the creative and wonderful possibilities of a two-soul home. But back to the question (more questions) — and your answers.

Have you ever considered the idea that your home could be a palette for the creative and nurturing expressions of your soul?

What does your home, as it is right now, say about your attention to your soul needs? If someone skilled in soul-full awareness (like me for example) visited your house, condo or apartment, what would that person conclude about your treatment of your own soul?

Have you made your house a home by bringing soul — your soul — to its colors, walls, furniture, pictures, rugs, art work, photos of family and friends and animals? Does your yard, patio, garden reflect soul-fullness? Do you have pockets of soul-fullness and then empty spaces that remain neglected or ignored?

Too many of us (men and women alike) forget soul-fullness when we choose and decorate our living spaces. We use colors and fabrics, furniture provided by family or friends and places that have cookie cutter rooms to buy.

We are afraid to take chances with color or unusual furniture. We become simply utilitarian and arrange things for function without thought to self-nurture and aesthetic pleasure. Many of us (OK, you) opt out entirely and go “stylish” and buy what the neighbors like without awareness or consideration of your deeper and more creative needs.

The solution is to stop and look around at your home. Take a slow walk through the physical space beginning at your front door (forget the yard for today) and notice any signs of soul. Make note of them and give thanks. Then take the same walk and ask your soul to make a few suggestions. You may be happily surprised at what you discover.

To get started on this process I have created a soul-full home checklist that you can receive free by clicking on my website below.

[Ed. note: Dr. Matthew Anderson is an author (The Prayer Diet), counselor and national columnist/expert on weight loss, motivation, self-management and relationships. To find tough-minded, outside-the-box guidance for taking charge of your life and/or your weight including Eating to Kill, click here.]

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